Owens, Spear support lobbyist gift ban
Friday, June 30th, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
By BOB MONTGOMERY
Two area lawmakers said Thursday they support a House bill that almost completely bans lobbyists’ gifts to legislators.
State Rep. Tim Spear, D-Washington, a co-sponsor of the reform bill, said the measure passed the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, and is expected to be approved by the full House sometime in the next week or so.
"We need to restore the public’s trust and confidence in their elected officials and this bill is a step in the right direction to do just that," said Spear, who earlier this year replaced Bill Culpepper as the 2nd House District’s representative. Spear represents Chowan, Dare, Hyde and Washington counties.
State Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, said he also supports the bill, as he has several others that stemmed from House Speaker Jim Black’s call in February for bills on ethics, lobbying and campaign finance reforms.
"I’ve never been one for accepting gifts," said Owens, whose 1st House District includes Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank and Tyrrell counties. "We’ve had 10 ethics bills this year. I’m sure I’ll accept this one too, as far as voting for it. As far as I’m concerned, I’m ethical and so is most everybody else up here. The lobbyists don’t have anything I want."
The House bill bans most gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers. Exceptions include meals and drinks at public events such as receptions, and trinkets worth less than $10, according to Louisa B. Warren, director of North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying Reform.
The bill also limits lobbyists’ cumulative contributions in any election to $4,000. However, the measure doesn’t prevent a lobbyist from collecting individual donations and passing them on to a candidate, Warren said. (more…)
"We feel the ban on lobbyist solicitation of funds and fundraising is the real ticket to reining in the undue influence of special interest lobbyists," she said. (more…)
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